The Winnipeg Jets had a disappointing 2025-26 season. After failing to make the 2026 NHL playoffs, the Jets now have to make some offseason decisions. One of those decisions surrounds the 2026 NHL Draft. With the way the season ended, do they trade the eighth overall pick for an NHL-ready player or for more picks? Winnipeg has time now to consider what to do but time is slowly running out.
Winnipeg's prospect pool is stronger than it appears
According to Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, the Jets rank 20th in the league in prospect rankings. Some of the featured prospects include defenseman Elias Salomonsson, center Brayden Yager, left-winger Isak Rosen, defenseman Sascha Boumedienne, and center/ right-winger Brad Lambert.
Of the 15 players in the piece, eight of them have seen time with the Manitoba Moose, American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Jets. Most of the 15 players are still a few years away but Winnipeg is building something.
Their system is filled with solid NHL potential but those prospects have elite potential. With that being said, teams have won the Stanley Cup without elite players so it can be done. Drafting eighth overall will get them a big time prospect. However, if that pick is moved, that ranking could still jump if Winnipeg gets more than one solid prospect in return. Either way, the Jets could move up in those rankings next season.
Winnipeg cannot ignore its goaltending pipeline
Whether Winnipeg keeps the eighth pick or not, the position to get stronger is goaltending. For the Jets, their goaltending duo consists of Connor Hellebyuck (32 years old) and Eric Comrie (30). Manitoba's roation looks like Domenic DiVincentiis (22) and Isaac Poulter (24). the only prospect of note not on a professional roster is Thomas Milic (23).
With Hellebyuck and Comrie both 30 years of age or older, the time is now to stock the goaltending cabinet.
Their goaltending pipeline could use additional reinforcements and that is the position they should target at the draft. Possible top pick, if the pick is kept, could be one of two promising goaltenders.
Top-ranked international goaltender by Central Scouting, Dimitri Borichev, may be at the top of the list for Winnipeg goaltenders in the draft. Borichev is 6-feet-2 and 194 pounds and is extremely agile. Playing for the LOKO-76 Yaroslavl in the Russia-JR league, he posted some incredible numbers. While his win/loss record was not available his numbers included a 2.25 goals against average, three shutouts, and a .929 save prcentage. If Winnipeg chooses to go goaltender they should take a long look at him for their top pick.
Another goaltender that should get some attention is Brady Knowling. The top-rated North American goaltender in Central Scouting is a huge, but athletic for his size, goaltender at 6-foot-5 and 202 pounds. he played last season for USA U-18 in the NTDP (National Team Development Program) in the United States Hockey League (USHL). His stats include a 15-12 record with a 3.74 goals against average, and a .880 save percentage. His play was exceptional despite his stats not being elite. he did play on the second-worst team in the league as the USA U-18 team posted a record of 17-40-3-2, giving up a league-high of 304 goals. He will be leaving the program for Boston University this upcoming season.
Winnipeg should be back in playoff contention next season with a few minor roster tweaks. It is never too early to look at the future with the draft quickly approaching and they will need to do just that. Important times for the Winnipeg organization.
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